TWELTH INSTALLMENT OF....THE LAKE...by b. Malin

Updated on January 11, 2011

FINALE...

Sarah did not know that Jose had slipped on the wet steps on some of the frogs that the rain had brought out. The thud she had heard was his body hitting the pavers and his neck breaking, killing him instantly... Her chance for survival gone. But maybe she did know, as she licked the salty tears that came down her cheeks.

The next day old man Carter was on his way over to the Burke's cottage. He looked down at his watch, it was only nine...he was sure she'd be up, as he wanted to drop the sealed envelope off before he started his chores for the day. He was to tell her not to open it until Mr. Burke got home...Surprises...what the heck, he thought to himself, if that's what Mr. Burke wanted...He cut through the back path and was coming around to the front of the cottage when he saw Jose's body sprawled out at the bottom of the steps, lying in a pool of blood and mucous. It looked like he had broken his neck...He bent down to take a closer look..."Yep, he's dead" he said aloud as he stood up and walked slowly up the steps, trying to avoid the dead frogs that were scattered about. He slowly opened the front door, fearing what he would find inside. Sitting upright on the couch was Mrs. Blake with her eyes closed looking like she might be sleeping, but sadly he knew that wasn't the case. He gently went over and said softly "Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Blake", but there was no response. He put his finger on her wrist to feel for a pulse, but sadly there was none. He looked down at the coffee table to see a pad with some writing on it. It looked like notes she had made on questions she had for Jose. Without thinking, he picked the pad up and ripped off the page, as he walked into the hall bathroom and flushed it down the toliet.

Why couldn't she have just minded her own business? he thought to himself as he stood over her body, wondering how she died. He saw the half empty coffee mug on the glass table in front of her. Without thinking, he picked it up and spotting the other one opposite her, he picked that one up too. He took them over to the kitchen sink and washed them both with hot soapy water before putting them in the dishwasher. He now looked about the room, his eyes falling on the dining room table where the pizza box lay closed...he went over and opened it, It contained two leftover pieces. He closed the box and carried out to Jose's truck, opened the front door and placed it on the front seat. He slammed the door shut, turning to see if anyone was watching...No one was. The truck had blocked Jose's body from any traffic which might have passed by. He stood looking at the body trying to decide what to do. He needed to protect the townspeople from any more scandal...Mrs. Jordan's suicide had caused enough...they didn't need more...things were back to normal...and now this.

He went back inside and cleaned off the dinning room table of any dishes, washing them and stacking them neatly in the dishwasher, and than dumping the leftover salad down the garbage disposal, and the lemonade down the sink. Everything now looked clean and ordinary...except for Jose's body out front, and Mrs. Blake's dead body on the couch. He went back out to Jose's truck, opened the front drivers side, got in, and finished off the two leftover pieces of pizza before calling the police on his cell phone.

The deaths of both Mrs. Blake and Jose were ruled accidental. Talk around town was that they were probably lovers...and maybe the baby was really his...the poor dead baby.

Robert never entered the cottage again...never in his heart, forgave Sarah for her death, and the death of their child...and put his "surprise" back on the market to be sold. He sneered when he saw the ad..."Perfect, perfect cottage for sale or rent...Start your own happy memories there...etc, etc". It sold within three months, to a Doctor and his wife, a lawyer from New York City. All the furniture was included.. Also included in the bedroom under the dictionary, was the picture of a young Latin couple and their baby.

The End.

This story and all it's contents belong to the author, b. Malin

Comments 18 comments

..well this story and all its contents belong to the author, B. Malin - and they are beautifully written contents too - and the story had me on the edge for days (literally) as day by day the events in these people's lives unfolded ...... it's a nice way to read a short story in the way you add a new chapter each day ......

....and you certainly have a great eye for detail - always a hallmark in any creative writing class - and you certainly know how to teach it - and very well at that - I am a willing student, my friend, and you will see me here next time front row centre.

By the way when are they going to adapt your screenplay into a movie .....

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

From you mouth to God's ears...I'd love to write and direct...well we all have to have our dreams...Thank you so much for all your words of encouragement and the wisdom that goes along with it...I'm proud to call you my friend.

Cheryl Kapelner-Champ 5 years ago

That was good, very suspenseful & well written, w/ *excellent detail.

When the statement, "it's too good to be true.", your main "character-couple" will come to mind.

Good work Barb, it was good reading.

Cher

richtwf 5 years ago

Sad end but brilliantly done - Bravo!

Feel sorry for Sarah - future mother

and also for Robert - future father

parental destinies - both unfulfilled

unfortunate tears and blood spilled.

Curiosity can kill the inquiring cat

and Sarah tragically discovered that.

What to do now? I'm sad that this story has ended, but you must write more of these!

Great story my friend and really enjoyed the journey.

Cheers and God bless you!

breakfastpop 5 years ago

An unexpected ending with possibilities of a sequel. Well done! Up and awesome!

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

Thanks Cheryl, thanks for reading and making such wonderful comments, greatly appreciated.

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

Your opinions and comments mean a lot to me Rich...I thought of a lot of endings, but I like a little "oh" ...for what I write...another story...maybe, but not now...I'm going to stick to one page...prose and poetry for a while...but you never know... Thanks again my friend for your seal of approval.

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

Hey breakfastpop, glad you didn't guess the ending...as for a sequel...too draining. As I told Rich, I'm going to work on one pagers...short prose and poetry...for a while. Thanks for hanging in there my friend.

Pixienot 5 years ago from Clarksville, Indiana

I don't know what to say, but you are a very good writer.

All suspense is now gone.

Thank you for sharing.

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

Thanks Pixienot...not everyone needs to comment...yes, the suspense is gone, now and I'm glad you came along for the read. Your very welcome!

Glemoh101 5 years ago

Thanks for your amazing hub , That i RATED it.

cdemasi 5 years ago

What a wild ride B. Malin - BRAVO!!

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

Thanks once again Glemoh 101, glad you liked the story and the complement...means a lot.

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

I'm thrilled that you finished it cdemasi...and thanks, I was hoping to do that with this ending.

luminita1977 5 years ago from New York

Good article,thanks

50 Caliber 5 years ago from Arizona

B.Malin, I was sure that Maggie had knocked the guy in he head and would retrieve the antidote and save the reporter and her curiosity to move forward and have a magical quality to the frogs that ultimately would play an evil end to her publishing the article.

that was my thoughts

Your ending was great though leaving wide open room for another beginning and end of the cottage of death, voted up all the way, thanks for the great read, 50

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

Luminita, thanks for enjoying...Hope to see you again!

b. Malin 5 years ago Author

Thanks 50 Caliber for reading through till the "bitter end". Thanks so much for your comments, glad you enjoyed the ride.